The 2023 AIM Awards nominees have been revealed, including RAYE, Little Simz, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Shygirl, and more.
The AIM Independent Music Awards have revealed the first 2023 nominees to celebrate the vibrant and innovative breadth of talent across the UK’s independent sector, including Little Simz, RAYE, Shygirl, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more. The ceremony takes place September 26 at Roundhouse in London.
The 2023 edition of the tastemaker awards show, which often highlights stars of the future before any other ceremony, boasts an exciting array of nominees: R&B-led pop singer RAYE and experimental dance act Shygirl lead the pack with three nominations each, while further multiple noms include British jazz quintet Ezra Collective, London-based Nigerian songwriter Obongjayar, futuristic genre-defier Kelela, and experimental up-and-comer Jessica Winter, who each land two.
The highly-coveted “Best Independent Album” category returns this year, with nominees including 2020’s Pioneer Award winner Little Simz who first earned an AIM Award in 2016. Subsequently winning a BRIT and the Mercury Music Prize in 2022, her album No Thank You joins previous AIM Awards winners Nova Twins and Rina Sawayama. The category is topped off with Kelela, Oliver Sim, Wu-Lu, Avelino, RAYE, and Shygirl.
In association with BBC Music Introducing, this year’s “One to Watch” category is filled with rising talent like Jessica Winter, Juice Menace, FLOWEROVLOVE, Laughta, and Master Peace. 2021’s One to Watch winner ENNY will return this year, with the South London rapper in the running for “Best Independent EP/Mixtape” alongside Saint Joshua, yunè pinku, Bellah, and Jessica Winter.
2023’s “UK Independent Breakthrough” category showcases contenders like electronic powerhouse duo Overmono, rapper Shygirl, alt-pop act Suki Waterhouse, producer I.Jordan, and London-based jazz quintet Ezra Collective. Shygirl, RAYE, and Overmono are also in the running for “Best Independent Track” in association with Meta, along with Sudan Archives’ “Selfish Soul,” Four Tet’s “Three Drums,” and Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Perfume Genius’ collaborative ballad “Spitting Off the Edge of the World.”
“This year’s AIM Independent Music Award nominees represent our diverse, dynamic, and inclusive community, truly showcasing the incredible range of talent across all genres of the UK music scene,” comments Silvia Montello, CEO at AIM. “As the indie sector continues to grow, we look forward to celebrating the dedication of labels, artists, and their teams on the 26 September.”